According to South Korea’s military, North Korea has dispatched an additional 3,000 troops to Russia this year. It supplies missiles, artillery, and ammunition to assist Moscow in its conflict with Kyiv.
In the wake of Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, traditional allies Russia and North Korea have strengthened their ties. Seoul has accused Kim Jong-un of dispatching thousands of troops and containers of weapons to support Moscow in its ongoing conflict.
While neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has provided official confirmation regarding the troop deployment, it is noteworthy that the two nations entered into a comprehensive military agreement last year. This deal, which includes a mutual defense clause, was established during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s uncommon visit to North Korea.
According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, 3,000 additional troops were deployed as reinforcements between January and February. The report also indicated that out of the initial 11,000 North Korean soldiers sent to Russia, approximately 4,000 are thought to have been killed or wounded.
The report from the Joint Chiefs of Staff indicates that North Korea is not only bolstering its workforce but also providing missiles, artillery equipment, and ammunition.
According to the assessment, North Korea has supplied a considerable number of short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs), along with approximately 220 units of 170mm self-propelled guns and 240mm multiple rocket launchers.
The warning indicated that “these numbers could rise depending on the circumstances on the battlefield.”
In the previous year, North Korea executed a series of ballistic missile launches, contravening established UN sanctions.
Experts have raised concerns that North Korea, a nation equipped with nuclear capabilities, might be conducting weapons tests aimed at supplying Russia for potential use in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
Uncrewed aerial vehicles designed for offensive operations
On Thursday, North Korean state media announced that leader Kim Jong Un supervised the testing of new suicide and reconnaissance drones equipped with artificial intelligence technology.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the newly developed strategic reconnaissance drone can track and monitor various strategic targets and enemy troops’ activities on land and at sea.
According to KCNA, the suicide drones showcased a notable ability to be deployed for a range of tactical attack missions.
Kim assessed the enhanced capabilities of the strategic reconnaissance and suicide attack drones, highlighting the impact of newly integrated artificial intelligence technology.
According to KCNA, he has also consented to a strategy aimed at increasing production capacity.
In August of the previous year, Pyongyang showcased its attack drones, prompting experts to suggest that this emerging capability may be linked to the nation’s growing alliance with Russia.
Experts caution that North Korean soldiers deployed to support Russia will acquire valuable experience in modern warfare, particularly in the utilization of drones on the battlefield.
The report from the Joint Chiefs arrives four months following Kim’s directive for the “mass production” of attack drones, engineered to transport explosives and intentionally crash into enemy targets, thereby functioning as guided missiles.
In 2022, Pyongyang deployed drones that crossed into South Korean airspace, which left Seoul’s military unable to intercept them, citing the drones’ small size as a significant factor in their failure to respond effectively.
